A Robbie Benson extra time goal from a penalty handed Premier Division Dundalk a dramatic victory in this FAI Cup game at Ferrycarrig Park.
Wexford showing real urgency on the restart and got back level when Jordan Tallon raced through the centre to best Shepperd with a low shot. Runar Hzuge out on the right cut inside the area before linking up with Joe Adams whose shot was parried to one side of the goal, but David McMillan applied the finish beating the keeper at his near post which helped his side to a 0-1 interval lead. In what was a very lacklustre opening that saw little flowing football Wexford still looked dangerous on the counter attack as Conor Crowley after a fine run pulled the ball across the face of the goal but there was no one to apply the finish.
Dundalk could well have been knocked out in regulation were it not for some inspired goalkeeping from Nathan Shepperd.
And yet they still had the wherewithal to get back on level terms with 13 minutes to go. And Wexford kept piling on the pressure - and on Boyle and Bone in particular - with Wells and Shortt both forcing more saves from Shepperd. But Wexford refused to buckle and Ryan’s exciting team were just relentless thereafter and would have been out of sight but for Shepperd. Runar Hauge’s cross wasn’t dealt with by Len O’Sulliovan and fell to Bradley on the right hand side of the box. And he had Wexford’s best chance of the opening half, only for Shepperd to defuse matters when palming the ball to safety. Just in case Dundalk arrived here in any doubt as to how Wexford have been getting on of late, the home fans reminded them time and again.
Dundalk survived a major scare at Ferrycarrig Park as Robbie Benson's penalty in extra-time secured their place in the Extra.ie FAI Cup quarter-finals at ...
Six minutes from the end Wexford missed a guilt-edged chance to restore their lead when Conor Davis broke to the end line on the left before crossing to Groome who blazed over when it looked easier to score. That allowed Steven Bradley to get a shot away which was spilled by Moody. Shepperd would then deny both Wells and Shortt within a minute of each other as Wexford went in search of the lead goal and it arrived on 66 minutes when Shortt got in behind Boyle on the left to fire to the bottom right hand corner.
Dundalk Boss Stephen O'Donnell was unhappy at having to play this FAI Cup tie and a postponed league match against Sligo Rovers in the space of 72 hours. And it ...
But that advantage was reversed in 10 second-half minutes through goals from Luka Lovic and Ger Shortt before substitute Ryan O’Kane forced extra-time. As Wexford’s exertions began to catch up with them, Dundalk were better in the first period of extra-time but could not work Moody. The visitors had created little of note but were ruthless when their hosts compounded one error with a second to get their noses in front. Benson, O’Kane and Aflie Lewis were sent on after an hour in a bid to lift the performance but, within five minutes of their introduction, Wexford were ahead. Boyle’s return saw Robbie McCourt moved out to left-back in place of Darragh Leahy but Wexford had considerable joy down that side in the opening half with Conor Crowley and Shortt linking up well. He had a wealth of experience to turn to with Andy Boyle, Keith Ward and McMillan among the five players brought in..